MIKE ATHERTON will probably joke about it one day, but that was of little consolation after he became the butt of dressing-room humour in Auckland yesterday.

England's struggling captain took to the field in a special benefit match for New Zealand Test bowler Danny Morrison. He made 10, but didn't look too happy after he was caught in the deep by Emily Drumm, the only woman playing in the match.

"I can't remember it," claimed Atherton after being caught by Drum, a regular member of New Zealand's Test side.

All-rounder Drum also picked up three wickets with her medium-pace bowling - including that of England's vice-captain Nasser Hussain.

But it was Atherton who earned her sympathy. "I sort of feel sorry for him," she said. "He hasn't been the happiest chap out there today, but he's probably got a lot on his mind at the moment," said Drum yesterday.